It is natural for teens and children, like adults, to go through emotional ups and downs. Although teens naturally have mood swings as they grow up, depression is entirely different. However, it isn’t always easy to differentiate between normal teenage anxiety and depression. But here’s how you can recognize the signs and so you can intervene at the right time.
What is depression?
Depression is a medical illness that can cause anyone to feel irritable, sad, or hopeless. It may affect one’s appetite, sleep patterns, and meaningful relationships. Depression can also cause one to lose interest in activities or hobbies they once thoroughly enjoyed. In severe cases of depression, one can also have suicidal thoughts.
Does depression affect children?
Yes, childhood depression is becoming quite a common phenomenon. According to a recent study, an estimated 3.4 million adolescents aged 12 to 17 in the United States had suffered from at least one major depressive episode. This figure represents almost 13.9% of the U.S. population.
Childhood depression is very different from the typical ‘blues’ and strong everyday emotions that children go through daily. Feeling everyday anxiety or sadness does not necessarily mean experiencing depression. But if the sadness and a feeling of despair envelop them daily and interfere with normal social activities, family life, school, and hobbies, in that case, it may mean that they have a depressive illness. Do remember, although depression is a severe condition, it is also a treatable one.
Is my child depressed?
While occasional acting out or mood swings are expected during the teenage years, depression is different. The adverse effects of childhood depression are far serious beyond a melancholy mood. Depression can create a drastic shift in your child’s personality, causing an overwhelming sense of anger, despair, and sadness. Parents should lookout for the following signs of depression in children:
- Crankiness or persistent anger
- A permanent feeling of sadness and hopelessness
- Social withdrawal
- Fatigue or perceived lack of energy
- Feeling guilty or ashamed
- Having more trouble concentrating
- Being more sensitive to rejection
- Changes in appetite, either increased or decreased
- Changes in sleep pattern (sleeplessness or excessive sleep)
- Vocal outbursts of crying
- Loss of interest or pleasure in previously enjoyed activities
- Feelings of worthlessness or guilt
- Impaired thinking or concentration
- Thoughts of death or suicide
What should I do if my child is depressed?
If you think your child is going through depression:
Talk with your child about sadness:
Sit with them and make them understand that they know what they are going through and are there to help. Listen, comfort, and show your love.
Visit your doctor:
If you have noticed changes in your child’s sleep, eating, energy, or mood, let your doctor know. Also, let your doctor know if your child is dealing with stress, hardship, or coping with a loss, so your doctor can give a correct diagnosis.
Visit a child therapist:
A child therapist will spend time talking with you and your child to understand the underlying cause of your child’s changed behavior. They will ask detailed questions and do an in-depth check for depression to help your child.
Enjoy time together:
Spend time with them doing things you both can enjoy. Enroll in a craft class, go for a short vacation, spend time outdoors, read stories, go for walks – basically spend time doing things that can encourage positive moods. This will help increase proximity between you and your child.
Install Child Safety App:
Child Safety App is a free parental control app and child safety app to keep children safe. Created in collaboration with child psychologists, law enforcement professionals, and digital media experts, the app delivers a kid-friendly solution to create a secure, supervised, and protective environment for children and teens.
Final thoughts
Thankfully, timely interventions can help children get back on track before symptoms of depression take a severe toll on their life.
